conducting hopeLimited release

Nationwide Broadcast on PBS and American Public Television

“Conducting Hope promotes debate about the purpose of prison and challenges students to think about more innovative and restorative alternatives to the traditional ‘lock ‘em up’ approach to criminal justice."Stacy Lee Burns, Professor of Sociology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles

"Depicts a very important program at work in Kansas’ correctional system. The film is a very rare opportunity for people to educate themselves about our prison system, and the human beings that are within our prisons’ walls."Alex M. Holsinger, Ph.D., Professor of Criminal Justice & Criminology, University of Missouri – Kansas City“Heart-warming...Conducting Hope illustrates the fact that as humans, yes, we can impart hope in prisons and others in challenging contexts through the powerful medium of group singing.”Mary L. Cohen, Ph.D., Area Head, Music Education, University of Iowa School of Music

Synopsis:Recidivism rates for prisoners have never been higher. Now the new documentary film CONDUCTING HOPE explores an inspiring solution, in the story of the East Hills Singers, the only men’s prison choir in the country to perform outside prison walls. Highlighting the extraordinary therapeutic power of music to change lives, the choir is also comprised in part by volunteer community members who serve as role models as well as former inmates who continue to sing with the choir after release. As they prepare for an upcoming concert outside prison and perform before hundreds of people, including, family, the film movingly portrays how a group of present and former prisoners, together with community volunteers, can forge a successful path back into society.